Refund Policy

Last Updated: January 1, 2025

1. Overview

At Gloventis Journeys, we understand that travel plans can change unexpectedly. This Refund Policy outlines the terms and conditions under which refunds, credits, and modifications may be granted for our thematic travel experiences. We encourage all travelers to review this policy carefully before making a booking and to consider purchasing comprehensive travel insurance to protect their investment.

This policy applies to all journey packages, custom itineraries, and individual services booked through Gloventis Journeys, whether directly through our website, via email, telephone, or through any other booking channel. By completing a booking with us, you acknowledge and agree to the terms outlined in this Refund Policy.

2. Deposit and Payment Structure

2.1 Booking Deposits

All journey bookings require a non-refundable deposit of thirty percent (30%) of the total journey cost at the time of booking confirmation. This deposit secures your place on the journey and covers the administrative costs of itinerary planning, supplier negotiations, and reservation processing.

The deposit is non-refundable under all circumstances except when Gloventis Journeys cancels the journey (see Section 5 below). The deposit may, at our sole discretion, be applied as credit toward a future booking under certain circumstances as outlined in this policy.

2.2 Final Payment

The remaining seventy percent (70%) of the total journey cost must be paid in full no later than sixty (60) days prior to the scheduled departure date. Failure to submit final payment by the specified deadline may result in automatic cancellation of your booking, with the deposit forfeited. For bookings made within sixty (60) days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking.

2.3 Custom and Premium Journeys

For Odyssey-tier and other ultra-premium custom journeys, a higher deposit of forty percent (40%) may be required due to the exclusive nature of accommodations, private charters, and specialized experiences that require advanced non-refundable commitments to suppliers.

3. Cancellation by Traveler

If you need to cancel your booking, please notify us in writing as soon as possible. The following cancellation schedule applies based on the number of days before the scheduled departure date that we receive your written cancellation notice:

Cancellation Window	Refund Amount	Notes
90+ days before departure	70% of total cost	30% deposit is retained
60-89 days before departure	50% of total cost	50% retained for supplier commitments
30-59 days before departure	25% of total cost	75% retained; most supplier costs non-refundable
15-29 days before departure	No cash refund	50% credit toward future journey (valid 12 months)
0-14 days before departure	No refund or credit	100% of costs are non-refundable
No-show	No refund or credit	Full amount forfeited

All refund amounts are calculated based on the total journey cost, including any add-on experiences, upgrades, or supplementary services that were part of the confirmed booking. Refund percentages are applied after deducting any non-recoverable costs that have already been paid to third-party suppliers on your behalf.

Refunds will be processed within fourteen (14) business days of receiving your cancellation notice, using the same payment method used for the original transaction. Additional processing time may be required by your financial institution.

4. Modifications and Date Changes

4.1 Traveler-Initiated Modifications

We understand that flexibility is important. We will make every reasonable effort to accommodate modification requests, subject to availability and supplier constraints. The following guidelines apply:

• Date Changes: Requests to change journey dates submitted more than sixty (60) days before departure may be accommodated without penalty, subject to availability and any price differences between the original and new dates. Date changes requested within sixty (60) days of departure may incur a modification fee of $250 per person plus any additional supplier charges.
• Itinerary Modifications: Requests to modify specific activities, accommodations, or other itinerary elements will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Changes that require new supplier arrangements may be subject to price adjustments and availability.
• Traveler Substitutions: If you are unable to travel, you may substitute another eligible traveler in your place, provided the request is made at least thirty (30) days before departure and the substitute meets any applicable requirements. A substitution fee of $150 per person applies.

4.2 Company-Initiated Modifications

Gloventis Journeys reserves the right to make minor modifications to journey itineraries when necessary to improve the experience, accommodate local conditions, or address safety concerns. Minor modifications include changes to the order of activities, substitution of comparable accommodations, or adjustment of timing. We will notify you of any significant changes as soon as possible and provide you with the option to accept the modified itinerary or cancel with a full refund.

5. Cancellation by Gloventis Journeys

In rare circumstances, Gloventis Journeys may need to cancel a journey. Such circumstances may include:

• Insufficient enrollment to operate the journey safely and effectively (minimum group sizes vary by journey type)
• Natural disasters, severe weather events, or environmental conditions that pose safety risks
• Political instability, civil unrest, terrorism threats, or government travel advisories
• Pandemic-related travel restrictions, quarantine requirements, or border closures
• Loss of essential supplier services (e.g., hotel closure, guide unavailability) without suitable alternatives
• Any other circumstances beyond our reasonable control (force majeure events)

In the event of a company-initiated cancellation, we will offer you the following options:

• Option A: Full refund of all payments made, processed within fourteen (14) business days
• Option B: Transfer to an alternative journey of equal or greater value (with any price difference owed by the traveler)
• Option C: Full credit toward a future journey, valid for twenty-four (24) months from the date of cancellation, with a bonus credit of 10% of the original booking value

Gloventis Journeys is not responsible for any additional expenses incurred by travelers as a result of a company-initiated cancellation, including but not limited to non-refundable airfare, visa fees, travel insurance premiums, or other pre-travel costs.

6. Travel Insurance Recommendation

We strongly recommend that all travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking. A good travel insurance policy should cover:

• Trip cancellation and interruption for covered reasons
• Medical emergencies and evacuation
• Baggage loss, theft, or delay
• Travel delays and missed connections
• Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage for maximum flexibility

We recommend policies that offer Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, which typically reimburses 50-75% of non-refundable trip costs if you cancel for a reason not covered by standard trip cancellation insurance. CFAR coverage usually must be purchased within 14-21 days of your initial booking deposit.

Gloventis Journeys does not sell travel insurance and is not responsible for any expenses that would have been covered by an appropriate insurance policy. We can recommend reputable travel insurance providers upon request.

7. Partial Journey Use

If you choose to leave a journey early or skip certain included activities or services, no refund will be provided for the unused portion of the journey. This applies to all elements including accommodations, meals, transportation, guided activities, and any other included services. Our journey pricing reflects the cost of the complete experience as a package, and individual components cannot be separated for refund purposes.

8. Third-Party Services

Certain components of your journey may be provided by third-party suppliers who maintain their own cancellation and refund policies. In cases where a third-party supplier's policy is more restrictive than ours, the more restrictive policy may apply to the portion of your journey involving that supplier. We will inform you of any such limitations at the time of booking.

Refund amounts may be affected by non-recoverable costs already paid to third-party suppliers, including but not limited to hotel deposits, restaurant reservations, activity bookings, private transportation arrangements, and permit fees.

9. Currency and Processing

All refunds are processed in United States Dollars (USD). If your original payment was made in a different currency, the refund amount may vary due to exchange rate fluctuations. Gloventis Journeys is not responsible for any differences in refund amounts due to currency exchange rate changes.

Refund processing times are as follows:

• Credit card refunds: 7-14 business days after approval
• Bank wire transfer refunds: 14-21 business days after approval
• Travel credits: Applied to your account within 3 business days of approval

10. Complaints and Disputes

If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of your journey, we encourage you to notify your journey leader or our concierge team immediately so that we can address the issue in real-time. If the issue cannot be resolved during the journey, please submit a written complaint within thirty (30) days of the journey's end date.

All complaints will be reviewed by our senior management team, and we will respond within fourteen (14) business days with a proposed resolution. Any compensation or goodwill gestures offered are at the sole discretion of Gloventis Journeys and do not constitute an admission of liability.

11. Amendments to This Policy

Gloventis Journeys reserves the right to amend this Refund Policy at any time. Any changes will apply to bookings made after the effective date of the amended policy. Bookings made prior to a policy change will be governed by the Refund Policy in effect at the time of booking, unless the amended policy is more favorable to the traveler.